Improvement in apparatus for preserving wood by the robbins process



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JOHN W. FIELDER.

improvement in Apparatus for Pres by the Robbins Process.

Patented 1une13,1871.

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JOHN W. FIELDER. Improvement in Apparatus for Preserving Wood bytheRobbins Process. No, 115,946, PatentedJune13,l87/.

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JOHN V. FIELDIIR, OF PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT lN APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING WOOD BY THE ROBBINS PROCESS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,946, dated June 13,1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OIIN \V. FIELDER, of Princeton, in the county ofMercer and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Kilnfor the Treatment and Preservation of \Vood by the Robbins Process; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawingmaking a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a top view ofthe kiln, (with the roof removed,) the boilers, and the reservoir. Fig.2 is a sectional elevation of the kiln. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectionof the kiln, showing also the reservoir. Fig. 4c is an end elevation ofthe kiln, and Fig. 5 is a top view of the furnace.

This invention relates to an apparatus for preserving wood by what isknown as the Robbins processthat is to say, by placing wood in anair-tight kiln and introducing thereinto the vapor of creosote oil,which vapor drives moisture and air out of the pores of the wood,coagulates the albumen of the sap, thus preventing its putrefaction, andfills the pores with oil, thus rendering it secure from decay.

Referring to the drawing, a is the air-tight chamber, the same beingconstructed of any suitable material. On the floor of the chamber islaid a series of serpentine pipes, b, which are intended to receivesteam or oil-vapor from the outside for the purpose of heating thechamber to the required degree previous to or at the time of introducingoil-vapor into the kiln. The exhaust-pipes of the series 11 are shown at0. Boilers, (1, of any desired size, are located outside the chamber a,which boilers receive oil from a reservoir, e, through a main pipe, f,and branch pipes g. The reservoir 6 is situated above the level of theboilers, so that the oil will flow into the latter of its own accordwhen the cooks are open. Oil is supplied to the reservoir in the firstinstance from barrels, which are hoisted to the top of the reservoir bywindlasses h. The supply is kept up in the reservoir by means of a pump,1', Fig. 3, which elevates the oil from the receptacle j, into which itruns from the kiln after having entered the same in the form of a vaporand been condensed therein, that part of the oil not absorbed by thewood collecting in the gutters h, Fig. 3, that areformed in the surfaceof the floor and covered with sheetiron. The floor and gutters slopefrom both ends toward the center, as shown in Fig. The pipe whichconducts the oil from the gutters k to the receptacle j is shown at I,Fig. 3. The furnace under each boiler d is built as shown at Fig. 5,wherein m is the grate; n, a dividing-wall running lengthwise of thefurnace; and 0, the chimney. The wall it forces the productsofcombustion to travel once back and along the whole length of theboiler 11 above, thus economizing heat.

The vapors generated inthe boiler 11 pass out of the same into thechamber a through pipes 12, of which there are two to each boiler. Thesepipes pass through the side wall of the chamber a at any desired pointsof height. Opposite to their ends are situated fenders, q, suitablysecured to the wall, whose office is to disseminate the vapors as theyissue from the pipes. Pouring around the fenders the vapor fills thechamber and produces the desired effect upon the wood. That part of thevapor not absorbed passes oil, as above explaiued.

The roof of the kiln is constructed of brick arch-work r, Figs. 2, 3,with a filling, s, of non-conducting material above, and finally theroof proper, t. There is a railway, a, on the floor of the kiln tofacilitate the introduction of the wood. The door 12 of the kiln is hungon rollers c, so that it may readily slide away. A rubber packing, w, issecured in a groove in the end of the kiln outside the door-way,extending entirely around the same, and when the kiln is to be fastenedup the door 0 is pressed tightly against this packing by means of screwswpassingthrough the door and into the kiln.

Instead of steam, vapor from the boilers (I may be made use of to effectthe preliminary heating of the kiln, by means of tubes conneetin g theboilers with the series b. The lat ter would in this case exhaust into areservoir which should communicate with the receptaclej.

To obviate too great pressure within the kiln a safety-valve, y, restingin a cup of water or oil, 2, Fig. 3, is set in the roof and connectedwith a weight, 2'. The vapor, when the pressure is excessive, risesthrough the valve and water, and the latter prevents air from enteringthe kiln.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the kiln a, boilers (I, reservoir 6, receptacle j,and pipes f I, as specified.

2. The combination of the kiln a, pipes p, and fenders q, as described.

3. The kiln a, provided with gutters k in the floor, sloping from eachend toward the center, as explained.

4. The kiln a, packing w, door 2*, and screws .r, combined, as set;forth.

JOHN W. FIELDER.

Vv'itnesses:

Trros. D. D. OURAND, SOLON 0 KEMON.)

